Removable grommet device and method of using thereof

ABSTRACT

A grommet device and method of using a grommet device is provided. A top structure has a top surface. An aperture having a central axis is positioned interior of the top structure. A sidewall is formed around the aperture and connected to the top structure. The sidewall is positioned substantially perpendicular from the top surface of the top structure. At least two upper protruding structures are connected to the top structure at different locations along the top structure, wherein each of the upper protruding structures extends into the aperture. At least two lower protruding structures extend from the sidewall at different locations along the sidewall, wherein each of the lower protruding structures have a flexing portion extending into the aperture, wherein each of the upper protruding structures are substantially radially aligned with the flexing portion of each of the lower protruding structures, respectively.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 13/614,185filed Sep. 13, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,701,246 issued Apr. 22, 2014which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.61/534,647, entitled, “Removable Grommet Device with Prongs and Methodof Using Thereof” filed Sep. 14, 2011, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to grommets and moreparticularly is related to a removable grommet device and method ofusing thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Within the medical industry, there is a need for holding a variety ofmedical instruments for various purposes. For example, a surgeon needsto be able to access medical instruments for surgery quickly, a dentistneeds to be able to access his or her dental tools, and virtually allmedical instruments must be placed within a holder during asterilization process. Conventional holding containers may include avariety of bases holding insertable trays that havespecifically-designed areas for holding specific tools. However, withsmaller tools, such as small dental tools, it is frequently inefficientto store them in these containers, since they're prone to being movedaround and jostled as the container is moved. This may result in agrouping of smaller tools in one area, which means that the surgeon ormedical staff member must sift through the grouping to locate a specifictool.

Conventionally, medical instruments are often held in containers ortrays with holes and grommets. The grommets may be positioned within thehole and provide a secure interface between the medical instrument andthe hole within the container or tray. Often, the grommets are sized tomatch a certain shaft size of a medical instrument, and a container ortray may include a variety of different sized grommets, eachspecifically engineered and designed to hold one of a variety of medicalinstruments. These medical instruments have varying shaft sizes and itoften becomes tedious to search for the appropriately sized grommet thatmatches a particular shaft size of the medical instrument. It is notuncommon for a medical tray to have fifty or more grommets, with a dozenor more different sizes. Thus, the time it takes to match a specificmedical instrument to a specifically sized grommet may result ininefficient use of valuable time.

Most grommets in use today are intended to be permanent fixtures inmedical sterilization to trays, in that they are not designed to beremoved on a regular basis. This is due to the high risk of harboringbacteria and other contaminants within the spaces, crevices and otherareas exposed when the grommet is removed from the tray. When thegrommets are permanently installed within the holes, the surfaces of thegrommets form tight seals with the container or the tray. This mayprevent bacterial from becoming lodge within cracks, crevices or otherareas, which may prevent complete sterilization of the medical tool.However, users often try and remove the grommets when they becomedamaged, or when they desire to reposition the grommet in a newlocation. This removal of the grommet may result in damage to thegrommet structure itself, as well as present additional areas forharboring bacterial.

Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to addressthe aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a grommet device. Brieflydescribed, in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others,can be implemented as follows. A circular top structure has a topsurface, wherein an aperture having a central axis is positionedinterior of the top structure. A sidewall is formed around the apertureand connected to the circular top structure, wherein the sidewall ispositioned substantially perpendicular from the top surface of thecircular top structure. At least two upper protruding structures areconnected to the circular top structure at different locations along thecircular top structure, wherein each of the at least two upperprotruding structure extend into the aperture. At least two lowerprotruding structures extend from the sidewall at different locationsalong the sidewall, wherein each of the at least two lower protrudingstructures have a flexing portion extending into the aperture, whereineach the at least two upper protruding structures is substantiallyradially aligned with the flexing portion of each of the at least twolower protruding structures, respectively.

The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing a medicalinstrument sterilization device. Briefly described, in architecture, oneembodiment of the device, among others, can be implemented as follows. Asterilization platform has a plurality of holes formed therein. Agrommet device is positioned within one of the plurality of holes, thegrommet device having a top structure abutting a top surface of thesterilization platform and a sidewall connected to the top structure andabutting an inner wall of the hole, wherein an aperture is formed withinthe top structure. At least two upper protruding structures areconnected to the top structure at different locations along the topstructure, wherein each of the at least two upper protruding structuresextend into the aperture and an upper contact point positioned at aninnermost portion of the at least two upper protruding structures. Atleast two lower protruding structures extend from the sidewall atdifferent locations along the sidewall, wherein each of the at least twolower protruding structures have a flexing portion extending into theaperture and a lower contact point positioned at an innermost portion ofthe flexing portion of the at least two lower protruding structures. Amedical instrument is positioned within the aperture and in contact withall of the upper and lower contact points, wherein the medicalinstrument is frictionally retained in a substantially stationaryposition.

The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing a method ofsterilizing a medical instrument. In this regard, one embodiment of sucha method, among others, can be broadly to summarized by the followingsteps: providing a medical instrument sterilization platform having atleast one hole formed therein, wherein a grommet device is positionedwithin the at least one hole; inserting the medical instrument into anaperture formed within the grommet device, thereby contacting themedical instrument with at least two upper protruding structures and atleast two lower protruding structures formed with the grommet device,thereby biasing each of the at least two upper and lower protrudingstructures radially outwards away from a central axis of the aperture;and retaining the medical instrument within the aperture of the grommetdevice during a medical instrument sterilization process.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with referenceto the following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustration of a grommet device, in accordancewith a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cutout view illustration of the grommet device along theline A-A of FIG. 1, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top view illustration of the grommet device, in accordancewith the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustration of the grommet devicepositioned in use with a grommet-holding structure and medicalinstrument, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of constructing a grommetdevice, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustration of a grommet device 10, in accordancewith a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The grommetdevice 10, which may be referred to as ‘device 10,’ includes a circulartop structure 20 having a top surface 22, wherein an aperture 30 havinga central axis 32 is positioned interior of the top structure 20. Asidewall 40 is formed around the aperture 30 and connected to thecircular top structure 20, wherein the sidewall 40 is positionedsubstantially perpendicular from the top surface 22 of the circular topstructure 20. At least two upper protruding structures 50 are connectedto the circular top structure 20 at different locations along thecircular top structure 20, wherein each of the at least two upperprotruding structures 50 extend into the aperture 30. At least two lowerprotruding structures 60 extend from the sidewall 40 at differentlocations along the sidewall 40, wherein each of the at least two lowerprotruding structures 60 have a flexing portion 62 extending into theaperture 30, wherein each the at least two upper protruding structures50 is substantially radially aligned with the flexing portion 62 of eachof the at least two lower protruding structures 60, respectively.

The device 10 may be used with medical tool holding structures, such assterilization trays used for holding medical instruments during asterilization process. Accordingly, the device 10 may be used in anyindustry utilizing medical tools, such as tools, instruments, or anyother type of implement used for surgical procedures, operations, orother medical procedures. For example, the device 10 may be used to holdmedical instruments in surgical environments before, during and/or aftera surgical procedure, or a medical instrument sterilization process.Similarly, the device 10 may be used with dental instruments for dentaloperations, routine cleanings, or for any other use. Other settings anduses within the medical field are also envisioned, all of which areconsidered within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cutout view illustration of the grommet device 10 along theline A-A of FIG. 1, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment ofthe present disclosure. As is shown in FIGS. 1-2, the general structureof the device 10 may be formed by the circular top structure 20 and thesidewall 40, with the upper and lower protruding structures 50, 60extending therefrom. The device 10 is designed for use with agrommet-holding structure, such as a medical sterilization platform withholes to receive the device 10. The medical sterilization platform maycommonly include a medical instrument tray with openings, holes, orother structures, which can secure the device 10 in place. When thedevice 10 is positioned within the medical sterilization platform, theexternal surface of the sidewall 40 may contact an inner wall of thehole within the medical sterilization platform, and the underside of thecircular top structure 20 may contact an upper surface of the medicalsterilization platform. In this orientation, the medical sterilizationplatform may properly support the device 10 and hold it in place forsuccessful use with sterilizing medical instruments.

The sidewall 40 may integrally connect the base structure 20 to thecircular top structure 20. The sidewall 40 may commonly have asubstantially cylindrical shape that is configured to be positionedwithin the grommet-holding structure. For example, the sidewall 40 maybe positioned abutting the grommet-holding structure, with the circulartop structure 20 contacting an upper surface of the grommet-holdingstructure. As will be discussed, a portion of the lower protruding arm60 may be positioned opposing the circular top structure 20, with thegrommet-holding structure therebetween.

The aperture 30 may be positioned within the device 10, interior of thesidewall 40 and the circular top structure 20. The aperture 30 may be acavity, a cutout of material, or hole, which is positioned within thedevice 10, commonly aligned along a central axis 32 of the cylindricalshape of the device 10. This central axis 32 may run through a centerpoint of the grommet-holding structure, or may be positioned off-center,as various designs may dictate. The aperture 30 may be sized to hold anytype of medical instrument, and thus, may have any size diameter. Theaperture 30 includes an interior space, which may be defined by aninterior sidewall of the sidewall 40. The interior space may becharacterized as the space within the aperture 30 that is surrounded byany of the circular top structure 20 and the sidewall 40.

The upper and lower protruding structures 50, 60, which may also beknown as prongs, tabs, or angled tabs, may each have a shape that allowsfor flexibility when biased by a force, such as the force from a medicalinstrument inserted into the aperture 30. For example, as is shown, thetop and bottom portions of the upper and lower protruding structures 50,60 may each include arced or curved surfaces with a number of bendswithin the structure of the upper and lower protruding structures 50,60. The various structures may include facing surfaces for contactingthe medical instrument, flexing structures that flex under the force ofan inserted medical instrument, and connecting structures which providea connection between upper and lower protruding structures 50, 60 andother components. Also, as one having skills in the art can see, theflexibility of the upper and lower protruding structures 50, 60 may bedependent with or relative to other components.

At least two upper protruding structures 50 and lower protrudingstructures 60 may be included with the device 10, but any number ofupper protruding structures 50 and lower protruding structures 60 may beincluded. For example, in FIG. 1, there are three upper protrudingstructures 50 and lower protruding structures 60 depicted. The upperprotruding structures 50 and lower protruding structures 60 are formedto be positioned substantially within the aperture 30. The upperprotruding structures 50 may be connected to the circular top structure20 whereas the lower protruding structures 60 may be connected to thesidewall 40.

As is shown in FIG. 2, the upper protruding structures 50 generallyinclude a platform 53 connected to the circular top structure 20 thathas an upper surface that is substantially planar with the top surface22 of the circular top structure 20 and a biasable arm 54 integral withthe platform 53, wherein the biasable arm 54 angularly extends towardsthe central axis 32 from the platform 53. The biasable arm 54 may becharacterized as the structure of the upper protruding structure 50 thatmay flex or bend when contacted by a medical instrument. For example,when a medical instrument is positioned within the aperture 30, theplatform 53 is positioned relatively close to the circular top structure20, and thus may not experience bending, movement, or material stresses.On the other hand, when the medical instrument is inserted into theaperture 30, the biasable arm 54, i.e., the more interior portions ofthe upper protruding structures 50, may be flexed or bent.

The biasable arm 54 has a general structure that includes first andsecond arm portions 55, 56 that are angularly connected together to forman upper contact point 57. The upper contact point 57 may substantiallyface the central axis 32 and the interior of the aperture 30. in use,the upper contact point 57 may interface with the medical instrument,while the first and second arm portions 55, 56 flex or bend relative tothe platform 53 and the circular top structure 22. The angularconstruction of the first and second arm portions 55, 56 may varygreatly, and may often be selected based on the intended size of themedical instrument that the device 10 may hold. The upper contact point57 may be axially movable between the sidewall 40 and the central axis32, or in other words, the upper contact point 57 may move in adirection that is in alignment with a radius of the aperture 30. Whenthe medical instrument is positioned within the aperture 30, the uppercontact point 57 may be forced away from the central axis 32, and whenthe medical instrument is removed from the aperture 30, the uppercontact point 57 may move towards the central axis 32 to be reorientedto its natural position. The lower most portion of the upper protrudingstructure 50, namely the lower tip of the second arm 56 may besubstantially aligned with a terminating edge of the sidewall 40.

The flexing structures 62 of the lower protruding structures 60generally comprise an extending platform 63 connected to the sidewall 40and a biasable arm 64 integral with the extending platform 63. Theextending platform 63 may be substantially aligned with the sidewall 40,and the biasable arm 64 may stem from the extending platform 63 with avariety of angles, and structures. For example, the biasable arm 64 maybe characterized as having at least a first section 65 and a secondsection 66, where the first section 65 of the biasable arm 64 isangularly connected to the extending platform 63 and extends outwardsfrom the central axis 32, and the second section 66 of the biasable arm64 is connected to the first section 65 and extends inwards towards thecentral axis 32. As can be seen, the second section 66 of the biasablearm 64 further comprises first and second arm portions 67, 68 that areangularly connected together to form a lower contact point 69. The lowercontact point 69 may substantially face the central axis 32 and theinterior of the aperture 30, thereby providing an interface with amedical instrument positioned within the aperture 30. Similar to theupper contact point 57, the lower contact point 69 is axially movablebetween the extending platform 63 and the central axis 32.

The extending platform 63 may have a radius that substantially matches aradius of the sidewall 40. The first section 65 of the biasable arm 64may be positioned radially exterior of the extending platform 63 and thesidewall 40. The first section 65 may be provided to allow for thebiasable arm 64 to move when the lower contain point 69 is contacted bya medical instrument. However, the first section 65 may also be used tohelp retain the device 10 within the sterilization platform hole. Forexample, the first section 65 may be sized larger than the hole withinthe grommet-holding structure to prevent the device 10 from slipping ormoving out of position within the hole. Since the first section 65 andthe extending platform 63 are slightly flexible, the device 10 may beinserted into the grommet-holding structure hole by pushing the firstsection 65 through the grommet-holding structure hole until the sidewall40 is properly located within the hole. In this position, the largercircular top structure 20 may prevent the device 10 from moving furtherinto the hole.

It is noted that the first section 65 and the circular top structure 20may be sized to allow for easy insertion and removal of the device 10.Removal of the device 10 may be needed when the device 10 is intended tobe disposable on a regular basis, such as after one use or just a fewuses. Conventional grommets are not generally intended to be removableor disposable, and therefore may not be sized for convenient removalfrom the grommet-holding structure. When conventional grommets areremoved, it is often a long and labor-intensive process, since theirstructures are not accommodating for removal. The device 10, on theother hand, may be removed to expose the spaces between the device 10and the grommet-holding structure, thereby allowing these spaces to becleaned and sterilized. This may prevent the harboring of bacteria inspaces where sterilant often cannot reach. Accordingly, the device 10may be considered disposable, in that a new device 10 may be used eachtime a device 10 is needed. This may assure a higher degree ofcleanliness, thereby providing a safer environment for medicalinstruments.

The upper and lower protruding structures 50, 60 may be constructed froma flexible material, such as silicon, thereby allowing the upper andlower protruding structures 50, 60 to flex and move when contacted by amedical instrument. The overall shape and size of the upper and lowerprotruding structures 50, 60 may vary according to the design andintended use of the device 10. For example, as is shown in FIGS. 1-2,the upper and lower protruding structures 50, 60 may be positioned toprotrude inwards towards the center axis 32, thereby obstructing some ofthe space of the aperture 30. When a medical instrument is inserted intothe aperture 30, the upper and lower protruding structures 50, 60 may bebiased towards the sidewall 40. This movement may lessen theirobstruction of the aperture 30 and may also place the upper and lowerprotruding structures 50, 60 in a biased state, where they continuallypush inwards towards the center axis 32. When the medical instrument isat least partially positioned interior of the upper and lower protrudingstructures 50, 60, the force exerted by the upper and lower protrudingstructures 50, 60 on the medical instrument may retain the medicalinstrument in a substantially stationary position.

The various components of the upper and lower protruding structures 50,60 may include a variety of variations and changes. For example, theupper protruding structures 50 generally will have a portion that maysubstantially flex or bend and a portion that does not substantiallyflex or bend. However, it should be noted that the various portions ofthe upper protruding structures 50 may include different flexing orbending characteristics, depending on the design of the device 10.Similarly, the different sections of the lower protruding structures 60may have different abilities to flex and bend. All variations areconsidered within the scope of the present disclosure.

Any of the components of the device 10, including the structure 20, theaperture 30, the sidewall 40, and the upper and lower protrudingstructures 50, 60 may have any sizes. For example, a variety of interiorand exterior diameters, thicknesses, or other dimensions may be includedwith the device 10. Similarly, the overall dimensions of the device 10,including the overall thickness and external diameter may have any size.For example, the device 10 may be constructed with different overallsizes to accommodate various types of medical instruments, or variousgrommet-holding structures. All variations are considered within thescope of the present disclosure.

The device 10 may be a substantially cylindrical structure around thecircular top structure 20 and the sidewall 40, all of which may beintegrally connected. The upper and lower protruding structures 50, 60may be integrally formed with the circular top structure 20 and/or thesidewall 40, thereby making the device 10 a substantially unitarystructure. Alternatively, various parts or components of the device 10may be formed separately and permanently or non-permanently affixedtogether. Commonly, the device 10 may be constructed from a rubber orsilicon material that is substantially resistant to degradation from useand from sterilization environments. Within the medical industry,medical instruments are often sterilized in autoclaves, which utilizehigh temperatures, high pressures, moisture, and/or chemicals tosterilize a medical instrument.

FIG. 3 is a top view illustration of the grommet device 10, inaccordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As is shown, the upper protruding structures 50 may each beintegral with the circular top structure 20 and face inwards towards thecenter axis 32 (illustrated as a point perpendicular to the plane of thepaper). At least two upper protruding structures 50 may be included withthe device. FIGS. 1-4 illustrate three upper protruding structures 50with the device 10, but more than three may be included. The overallarea of the aperture 30 may be determined relative to the number ofupper protruding structures 50 within the device and their respectivepositions. For example, the greater the shaft diameter of a medicalinstrument, the greater the upper protruding structures 50 may flex awayfrom the center axis 32, the larger the overall aperture 30 size may be.All variations, configurations and possible designs are consideredwithin the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustration of the grommet device 10positioned in use with a grommet-holding structure and medicalinstrument 90, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The grommet-holding structure 80, which may be anytype of sterilization platform, tray, or other structure capable ofholding the device 10, is shown with the first section 65 of the device10 positioned on one side of the grommet-holding structure 80 and thecircular top structure 20 positioned on an opposing side. Thus, thedevice 10 is at least partially positioned within the opening, hole, oraperture within a grommet-holding structure 80. A medical instrument 90is shown in the in-use position with the device 10.

As is shown, the medical instrument 90, which may be a scalpel, or othertool, biases portions the upper and lower protruding structures 50, 60away from the center axis 32. Since the upper and lower protrudingstructures 50, 60 are designed to move towards their original position,i.e., a position where the upper and lower protruding structures 50, 60are each protruding towards the center axis 32, as discussed relative toFIG. 2, the upper and lower protruding structures 50, 60 may create aninward force on the medical instrument 90. In other words, the naturalflex of the flexible protruding structures 60 may subject a force on themedical instrument 90 towards the center axis 32. This force, orcombination of forces when the upper and lower protruding structures 50,60 are used, may successfully retain the medical instrument 90 in aproper position. In this position, the medical instrument 90, device 10,and grommet-holding structure 80 may be easily transported or subjectedto a sterilization process without the dislodging of the medicalinstrument 90 from the device 10, and the device 10 from thegrommet-holding structure 80.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart 100 illustrating a method of sterilizing a medicalinstrument, in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. It should be noted that any process descriptions orblocks in flow charts should be understood as representing modules,segments, portions of code, or steps that include one or moreinstructions for implementing specific logical functions in the process,and alternate implementations are included within the scope of thepresent disclosure in which functions may be executed out of order fromthat shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or inreverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would beunderstood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the presentdisclosure.

As is shown by block 102, a medical instrument sterilization platformhas at least one hole formed therein, wherein a grommet device ispositioned within the at least one hole. The medical instrument isinserted into an aperture formed within the grommet device, therebycontacting the medical instrument with at least two upper protrudingstructures and at least two lower protruding structures formed with thegrommet device, thereby biasing each of the at least two upper and lowerprotruding structures radially outwards away from a central axis of theaperture (block 104). The medical instrument is retained within theaperture of the grommet device during a medical instrument sterilizationprocess (block 106).

The method may include any number of additional steps, processes, orvariations thereof, including any of the functions, structures, ordisclosures discussed relative to any other embodiment of thisdisclosure. For example, the method may include the step of retainingthe medical instrument within the aperture of the grommet device byfrictionally retaining the medical instrument within the aperture.Frictional retention of the medical instrument may be accomplished byexerting a force on the medical instrument with each of the at least twoupper protruding structures and at least two lower protrudingstructures. Once the sterilization process is complete, the medicalinstrument and the grommet device may be removed from the sterilizationplatform. The medical instrument may be used within a medical procedureor stored for later use in a medical procedure. The grommet device maybe removed and discarded, replaced, or sterilized and reinserted backinto the hole of the sterilization platform.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent disclosure, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, aremerely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for aclear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variationsand modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of thedisclosure without departing substantially from the spirit andprinciples of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations areintended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure andthe present disclosure and protected by the following claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of sterilizing a medical instrument, themethod comprising the steps of: providing a medical instrumentsterilization platform having at least one hole formed therein, whereina grommet device is positioned within the at least one hole; insertingthe medical instrument into an aperture formed within the grommetdevice, thereby contacting the medical instrument with at least twoupper protruding structures and at least two lower protruding structuresformed with the grommet device, wherein the at least two upperprotruding structures are independent of the at least two lowerprotruding structures, and wherein the at least two upper protrudingstructures are substantially radially aligned with the at least twolower protruding structures, respectively, thereby biasing each of theat least two upper and lower protruding structures radially outwardsaway from a central axis of the aperture; and retaining the medicalinstrument within the aperture of the grommet device via contact withthe at least two upper protruding structures and the at least two lowerprotruding structures during a medical instrument sterilization process.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of retaining the medicalinstrument within the aperture of the grommet device further comprisesfrictionally retaining the medical instrument within the aperture viacontact with the at least two upper protruding structures and the atleast two lower protruding structures.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising exerting a force on the medical instrument with each of theat least two upper protruding structures and at least two lowerprotruding structures.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising thestep of removing the medical instrument and the grommet device from thesterilization platform after completion of the sterilization process. 5.The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of: sterilizing theremoved grommet device; and reinserting the sterilized grommet deviceinto the at least one hole of the sterilization platform.
 6. A medicalinstrument sterilization device comprising: a sterilization platformhaving a plurality of holes formed therein; a grommet device positionedwithin one of the plurality of holes, the grommet device having a topstructure abutting a top surface of the sterilization platform and asidewall connected to the top structure and abutting an inner wall ofthe hole, wherein an aperture is formed within the top structure; atleast two upper protruding structures are connected to the top structureat different locations along the top structure, wherein each of the atleast two upper protruding structures extend into the aperture andinclude an upper contact point positioned at an innermost portion of theat least two upper protruding structures; at least two lower protrudingstructures extend from the sidewall at different locations along thesidewall, wherein each of the at least two lower protruding structuresextend into the aperture and include a lower contact point positioned atan innermost portion of the at least two lower protruding structures,wherein the at least two upper protruding structures are independent ofthe at least two lower protruding structures and wherein the at leasttwo upper protruding structures are substantially radially aligned withthe at least two lower protruding structures, respectively; and amedical instrument positioned within the aperture and in contact withall of the upper and lower contact points, wherein the medicalinstrument is frictionally retained in a substantially stationaryposition.
 7. The medical instrument sterilization device of claim 6,further comprising a flexing portion of each of the at least two lowerprotruding structures, wherein the at least two upper protrudingstructures are substantially radially aligned with the flexing portionof each of the at least two lower protruding structures, respectively.